Apparatus for processing film by means of a porous web solution applicator



Jan. 16, 1968 APP J. N. RICE 3,363,530 CESSING ARATUS FOR PRO FILM BYMEANS OF A POROUS V WEB S TION AP PLICATOR Fil June 7, 1965 JOHN M RICEINVENTOR I BY A ATTORNEYS United States Patent F 3,363,530 APPARATUS FORPROCESSING FILM BY MEANS OF A POROUS WEB SOLUTION APPLICATOR John N.Rice, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 7, 1965, Ser. No. 462,024 3Claims. (Cl. 95-89) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A film processingapparatus having a continuous porous web movable into intimateengagement with an exposed photosensitive film for applying processingsolutions to the film, and means for reconditioning the porous web byremoving spent processing solution therefrom so that it may be reused.

This invention relates generally to a photographic apparatus, and morespecifically to an improved film processing apparatus incorporating aporous web for applying a processing solution or solutions to the film.

Film processing apparatus in which a porous web, impregnated with aprocessing solution, is brought into intimate contact with the exposedemulsion surface of a strip of photosensitive material for the necessarytime to eilect processing are well known in the art. An apparatus ofthis type is disclosed in US. Patent 2,848,931, R. A. Troidl, Aug. 26,1958. In such apparatus, since the porous web is used only once, supplyand take-up mechanisms for the porous web are required. Applicantsimproved film processing apparatus eliminates the necessity tor supplyand take-up mechanisms for the porous web by using a reusable porousweb.

In summary, applicants invention includes within its scope an improvedfilm processing apparatus utilizing a reusable continuous porous web forapplying processing solutions to an exposed photosensitive film.Transport means are provided for transporting the web through aprocessing station in which the web is moved into intimate pressurecontact with the film for processing it. Processing solution applyingmeans are located at the entrance end of the processing station forapplying a processing solution or solutions to the web before thatportion of the web enters the processing station. Processing solutionremoving means are located at the exit end of the processing station forreconditioning the porous web by removing the spent processing solutionor solutions from the web.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedfilm processing apparatus having a continuous, resuable porous web forapplying a processing solution or solutions to an exposed photosensitivefilm.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filmprocessing apparatus having a continuous porous web that may bereconditioned during use for continuously applying substantiallyuncontaminated processing solution or solutions to an exposedphotosensitive film.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filmprocessing apparatus in which supply and take-up mechanisms for a porousweb incorporated therein for applying processing solution or solutionsto the film are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filmprocessing apparatus that is of simple design and construction,thoroughly reliable and efiicient in operation, and economical tomanufacture.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparentfrom the following description when read Patented Jan. 16, 1968 inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a film processing apparatusconstructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a further embodiment of theinvention.

Referring to the drawing, one embodiment of a film processing apparatusaccording to the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 1. Thisprocessing apparatus comprises a processing station 10 having a filmback-up support member 12 of an arcuate configuration over which a film14 is transported by any suitable transport mechanism, not shown. Ifdesired, the film support member 12 may be heated by any suitable means,not shown. In addition, guide rollers 16 are provided at each end ofsupport member 12 for guiding film 14 thereover with its base inengagement with support member 12.

In order to apply a processing solution or solutions to the exposedemulsion surface of the photosensitive film 14, a continuous porous web18 is provided. The web 18 may be constructed of any suitable porousmaterial which is secured to a backing support. For example, paperbackedpolyurethane has been found to give acceptable results. Other porousmaterials such as cellulose, fiberglass, woven materials and paper canbe used. In certain cases, backing materials with less absorbency thanpaper are desirable to reduce the carry-over of residual chemicals. Insuch cases, backing materials such as stainless steel, rubber andseveral of the chemically impervious plastic materials maybe used.

The continuous web 18 passes over three rollers, two of which are guiderollers 20 positioned adjacent the entrance and exit ends 19, 21,respectively, of processing station 10, for guiding web 18 through thestation into intimate pressure contact with the exposed emulsion surfaceof film 14. The third roller 22 is a drive roller and may be driven in aclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1 by any suitable drive mechanism,not shown, for transporting web 18 in the same direction. The amount ofagitation desired in the processing operation may be controlled byvarying the direction of transport of film 14. For example, if theporous web 18 and film 14 are transported through the processing station10 in the same di rection and at the same speed, zero agitation willresult. On the other hand, if the web 18 and film 14 are transportedthrough the processing station 10 in opposite directions as seen in FIG.1, a high rate of agitation will result which will increase as the speedof travel of each is increased. Two guide rollers 24 are provided, whichmay be spring mounted, not shown, for applying proper tension to porousweb 18. A mono-bath processing solution of known type containingdeveloping and fixing ingredient is supplied to the porous surface ofweb 18 by any suitable solution applicator 26. The impregnated porousweb 18 is transported through processing station 10 for applying theprocessing solution to the exposed emulsion surface of fihn 14 forprocessing same. After any part of web 18 passes through processingstation 10, it is reconditioned by transportation of the web through anip formed by a rubber pressure roller 28 in pressure engagement withdrive roller 22 for squeegeeing out the used or spent solution fromporous web 18. This spent solution is removed by any suitable vacuumsolution extractor 30, connected to any suitable source of vacuum, notshown.

In the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 2, parts similar toparts disclosed in FIG. 1 will be designated by the same numeralsprimed. In this modification, a rotatable drum 32 is provided having aporous surface layer 34 of some suitable porous material similar to theheretofore-described web 18. An exposed film 14 to be processed isguided by suitable guide rollers 16' over a portion of the periphery ofdrum 32 serving as a film back-up support where the two are brought intointimate pressure contact. The drum 32 is normally rotatably driven inone direction, and film 14 may be transported in either directiondepending upon the degree of agitation desired. A solution applicator26' is located along the periphery of drum 32 near the entrance end 19of processing station for applying a processing solution to the poroussurface 34 thereof. The solution applicator 26' should preferably belocated as close as possible to the entrance end 19 in order to reduceoxidation of the solution. A suitable pressure roller 28 is biased by aspring, not shown, into engagement with the periphery of drum 32 forsqueegeeing out the spent solution which is removed from surface 34 by avacuum extractor 30.

In the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 3, parts similar toparts disclosed in FIG. 1 will be designated by the same numerals doubleprimed. In this modification, a plurality of solution feed applicators26 are provided for applying different processing solutions insuccession to porous web 18". In addition, a back-up roller 36 isprovided for pressure roller 28".

The processing apparatus disclosed is applicable not only to theprocessing of a continuously-transported film 14, but also to theprocessing of a film which is intermittently advanced. In the situationwhere a film is intermittently advanced, it is preferable tointer-connect the film transport mechanism, the porous web transportmechanism, and the solution applicator mechanism in timed relation byany suitable means so that the solution is applied to the web 18, andthe web advanced only when film 14 is advanced.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toseveral embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described hereinabove, and as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim: 1. In a processing apparatus, the combination comprising:

a processing station having an entrance end and an exit end;

means for supporting Within said processing station photographic film tobe processed;

a processing solution applicator positioned near said entrance end ofsaid processing station;

movable means having a continuous porous surface for receivingprocessing solution from said solution applicator;

means for mounting and moving said movable means so that said poroussurface is transported along a closed path past said applicator andthence through said processing station in intimate pressure cont-actwith said film for applying said processing solution received by saidporous surface to said film for processing same; and

solution extracting means positioned along said path beyond the exit endof said processing station for extracting from said porous surface theprocessing solution remaining on said porous surface after it exits fromsaid processing station, said solution extracting means comprising (1) asqueegee roller in engagement with said porous surfaces for squeegingsolution therefrom, and (2) vacuum operated means adjacent the positionof engagement of said roller and porous surface for removing thesqueegeed solution, whereby said porous surface is reconditioned to onceagain receive and apply substantially uncontaminated processing solutionto said film.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable meanscomprises a web.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable meanscomprises a drum.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,757,950 5/1930 Allin 892,931,736 4/1960 Park 118104 2,983,250 5/1961 Godfrey 9589 3,262,3817/1966 Zimmerman 9589 3,271,187 9/1966 Chen et al 118-104 X 3,271,2269/1966 Staehle et al 9589 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,085,257 7/1954 France.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

F. L. BRAUN, Assistant Examiner.

